Vale John Gilbert Hamish Wilson (22 Sep 1943 – 28 Jun 2024)

Hamish graduated as a Lieutenant into RNZIR in December 1964. He served as Platoon Commander in A Coy 1RNZIR 1965–1967, then part of the 28th Commonwealth Brigade based in Terendak Garrison, Malaya. He completed a tour in Borneo in 1966.

He also served as a Platoon Commander of 6 Platoon V2 Company in Vietnam, 1967–1968. Victor 2 Coy was formed from 1 RNZIR and joined with the 2nd Royal Australian Regiment to form the ANZAC Battalion in Vietnam.

He continued to serve with the New Zealand Army in a series of appointments until 1989 when he retired.

From Alison Wilson (Widow of Hamish):

‘Hamish died peacefully in Christchurch Hospital surrounded by family on 28 June 2024. He was the dearly loved, and loving, husband of Alison, the dearly loved father and father-in-law of Kirsty and Peter, Helen and Brett, and Rob and Pip, and the beloved and proud Grandad of 8 grandchildren.

Hamish served in RNZIR until 1989, and then became a mate on sailing ships and a small ferry skipper until 1995. He retained his interests in the outdoors and enjoyed sharing his skills and knowledge with his children, grandchildren and the wider community. Music, tennis, volunteering work, gardening, reading, and the French language were all an important part of his life with family remaining paramount. On his 80^th birthday last year, he described himself to his family as being incredibly lucky and having no regrets. A sentiment he reiterated in his last few weeks.

Sadly, secondary cancers from an early diagnosed pancreatic cancer in February 2022 were too advanced. As a close friend observed: “Hamish was overcome from within. He was too strong an individual to be brought down from without.’

We offer our thoughts, prayers and sympathy to Alison and her family.

A life well lived, with no regrets - Rest in Peace Hamish.